Meeting held : 29 January 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 29TH JANUARY, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT CORNER GOULBURN AND SUSSEX STREETS, SYDNEY, AT 6.05 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Acting Secretary), M. Lennon (Executive
Officer).
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. W. Hickey seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For tonight's meeting:
From The New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing M. Yates in place of
B. McMahon.
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing S.
Davies, K. Price in place of P. Jones.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: P. Sams, B. Schmidt,
G. Kelly, G. Donnelly, G. Dwyer.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From The Australian Services Union, NSW & ACT Services
Branch - advising of the appointment of the Secretary, Com. Alison Peters,
to the Premier's Council for Women, established to provide advice and
assistance to the Premier on issues and matters of importance to women in NSW.
This was the first time a union official had been appointed as a Member since
the Council's inception in November 1995. Com. Peters sought the assistance of
Labor Council by informing affiliates of her appointment to the Council and
requesting that affiliates raise any matters they wish to have addressed at the
forum. Com. Peters would make regular reports to the Labor Council's Women's
Committee on the work of the Premier's Council to ensure regular feedback was
maintained.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Com. Peters be congratulated on her
appointment to the Premier's Council for Women."
Com. J. Templeman seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Minister for Police, the Hon. Paul Whelan, MP - advising
that, following on from a meeting held with Labor Council to discuss problems
arising at industrial disputes involving picket lines, the Minister had written
to the Commissioner. At the meeting, the importance of existing protocol for
picket disputes, formally adopted by the Police Service and the Labor Council,
was emphasised. It was suggested that further clarification of the rights and
responsibilities of police officers and picketers would be useful and the
Minister had requested the Commissioner prepare a detailed briefing setting out
the options to improve the operation of the protocol, and, consequently,
relations between police and picketers. The Minister would advise Labor
Council of the outcome once it was known.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and
Administrative Branch - advising of a dispute it was involved in with an
employer in the racing industry, which is represented by Ausgroup Consulting,
on the entitlement of casuals to long service leave, specifically concerning
what constitutes a break in continuity of employment. The employer had advice
from the Department of Industrial Relations as to what constitutes such a
break, and, based on this advice, the employer says that if a casual does not
appear for work when rostered on to do so then, prima facie, this constitutes a
break in continuity. The dispute was set down for arbitration before Justice
Glynn next Thursday, February 5. The Union sought Council's assistance in the
matter as such determination would have an impact throughout the New South
Wales private sector and possibly the public sector.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the request for assistance be
agreed to."
Com. A. McDonald seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers,
Australia - advising that the Association of Railway Professional Officers
of Australia (ARPOA), affiliated with the Association in September last year
and formed the APESMA - Transport Division, NSW. Mr G. Woodward was no longer
the Secretary of the ARPOA.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the Unions be congratulated on
their successful amalgamation."
Com. B. Plain seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon.
Jeff Shaw, QC MLC - thanking Council for its suggestions regarding the
proposed Occupational Health and Safety Induction Training Regulation and Code
of Practice. The Minister advised that it was currently finalising the drafting
of the proposed Induction Training Regulation as approved by the WorkCover
Construction Industry Consultative Committee. WorkCover had agreed to insert a
provision enabling it to approve industry based systems of induction training
registration, and it was currently consulting closely with industry to identify
the nature of guidelines required for such approvals.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council write to the
Minister reaffirming its view that a central register be established."
Com. P. McClelland seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. RETURNING OFFICERS - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1998
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, reported that in accordance with
Labor Council rules there was a requirement to appoint a Returning Officer and
eight Deputy Returning Officers for the ensuing year.
The following were proposed:-
Returning Officer: Col Bosworth (AWU-FIME)
Deputy Returning Officers: Judith Bennett (ASU)
Craig Bates (CFMEU)
Greg Donnelly (SDA)
Brian Jardine (PSU)
Bernie Riordan (CEPU)
Michel Hryce (MEAA)
Cheryl McMillan (HREA)
Barry Johnson (NSWTF)
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the report be received."
Com. G. Livermore seconded.
CARRIED
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the report be adopted and the appointments of the above be
confirmed."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEES
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, advised that nominations would open from
9:00 a.m. next Thursday, February 5, 1998 and close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday,
February 12, 1998 for the following Labor Council positions.
President
Vice Presidents (5)
Trustees (3)
Executive Officers (3) **
General Executive Members (3)
Group Representatives:
. Australian Government Employees Group
. Banking and Finance Group
. Building Group
. Distribution and Food Group
. Education Group
. General Australian Workers' Group
. General Transport Group
. Public Health Group
. Hospitality and Tourism Group
. Local Government Group
. Manufacturing Group
. Metal Trade Group I
. Metal Trade Group II
. Mining Group
. Professional, Administrative and Clerical Group
. Government Transport Group
. Publications Group
. Retail Industry Group
. Services Group
. State Public Sector Group
. Water and Stevedoring Group
Presidents of Groups (optional)
Secretaries of Groups (optional)
Committees:
. 2KY Directors / Wireless (5)
. Finance (5)
. Disputes (6)
. Organising (7)
ACTU Executive Member
ACTU Alternative Executive Member
ACTU Congress Delegates (2)
** Please note that as per Rule 11 the term of these additional Executive
Officers' positions will be until the next regular quadrennial elections.
A ballot, if necessary, would take place between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 19, 1998 which would
be held in the Trades Hall Auditorium, corner of Sussex Street and Goulburn
Streets, Sydney.
AGENDA - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 1998
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, advised affiliates that the agenda for
this year's Annual General Meeting, to be held on Thursday, February 19, 1998,
would be:
1. Confirmation of Minutes of last meeting
2. Acceptance of Credentials and formal reception of new delegates
3. Secretary's Report
4. Auditor's Report (Management and Currawong Accounts)
5. Annual Balance Sheet (consolidation)
6. 2KY Report
7. Appointment of Auditors
8. Amendment of Rules (if required)
9. Presentation of Labor Council Scrolls of Honour
10. Adjournment for Labor Council elections (if required)
SCROLLS OF HONOUR
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, reminded affiliates that nominations were
now open for Labor Council Scrolls of Honour and would close at 5:00 p.m. next
Thursday, February 5, 1998. All nominations, detailing career highlights and
involvement with the Labor Council, should be forwarded to the Labor Council by
this date.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the report be received."
Com. G. Livermore seconded.
CARRIED
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the report be adopted."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.25 P.M.
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